Does anyone use Airborne when flying?

[Corwin12]

Does this work? I picked up some to take before we get on the plane. I know it is only a few hours on the plane, but anything I can do to ward of potential sickeness ...

 

[TheresaNY]

We used it and we didn't get sick . Of course, that isn't to say that we might not have gotten sick anyway but anything that I could doto help boost the old immune system is worth it ! Airborne isn't too bad either - try it a couple days before you go to make sure it doesn't upset your stomach though. It made me a little queasy on an empty stomach - but not badly. Good idea to try any new thing a few days before the time when you don't want anything to go wrong ! Have fun !

 

[goofyforwdw]

I swear by this stuff Any time I feel a cold about to start I take a few airborne and I the cold never happens. All of my kids and DH are not converted even my daughters boyfriend I think it is awesome . At home I plop it in my tea just makes me feel good
Brenda

 

[salmoneous]

Does this work? I picked up some to take before we get on the plane. I know it is only a few hours on the plane, but anything I can do to ward of potential sickeness ...

Does it work? Well, in the sense that many people take it and don't get colds, sure it works. But many people don't take it and also don't get colds.

There's not a wit of scientific evidence that Airborne does anything to prevent colds. It's full of common ingredients, which don't do anything to prevent colds. However, it does contain fairly high levels of Vitamin's A and C, which can be harmful in large doses.

Who knows - maybe it does have some magical properties that prevent colds. Just be careful about taking too much of the stuff.

 

[beccasmom]

I think it does work. I've used it for 3 years and have avoided colds when everyone around me - kids, co-workers - are hacking away. I go into bronchitis very easily (and have asthma), so avoiding colds is very important to me. I take one every day during flu season or when I'm traveling; one every other day during other times. The lemon-lime is not bad; I use it in lemonade.

I once caught an awful cold on a plane and was sick during an entire WDW trip - it was awful. I am careful to eat right and exercise and generally keep my immune system in good shape. I get a flu shot ever year - eventually (my doctor cannot keep them in stock; I'm still waiting for one this year). But Airborne is a great help to me.

 

[DVC-Don]

I've also read some reports of tests that stated it made no difference.

I think it's a waste of money. You're better off buying a generic multi-vitamin that only has 100% RDA for most vitamins/minerals-- it's cheaper and less risky. Airborne has too much Vitamin C (1670% RDA), which can cause kidney stones when taken in large doses. I've heard kidney stones can be extremely painful.

Here's an excerpt from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_(dietary_supplement)

There are some concerns. First, there is no conclusive evidence that this product or any of its ingredients prevents colds or shortens their duration. Second, the adult tablet contains 1 g of vitamin C, and the directions for use advise taking 1 tablet at the first sign of a cold and repeating the dose every 3 hours as necessary. Vitamin C in doses higher than 1 g increases oxalate and urate excretion and may cause kidney stones (EN Taylor et al, J Am Soc Nephrol 2004; 15:3225). Third, the safety of this herbal extraction combination has not been established. And with herbs and dietary supplements in general, we only have the manufacturers’ word on the label for what’s in them.

 

[mrscoobs]

I take a half dose dissolved in my lemon-lime no calorie drink mix for when I am at work for the train. Yes, I know that it is mostly due to the amount of Vitamin A and C that I am consuming, but for someone who doesn't really take vitamins I find that I feel better when I am drinking it, and even if it is psychological more than anything, I find that it helps me not get sick. Having 160+ passengers a night, singing, serving, and over half of those being kids, I need all the help I can get for four nights a week!

And I like it on airplanes too

 

[Devil_Dog99]

I can't vouch for airborne, but I have been taking echinacea before every flight (and every day for that matter) and have only had one cold since January 2005. I travel a lot for business (every other week) and back in Jan 05 had a terrible time getting rid of a cold (turned into bronchitis and a sinus infection). My doctor's PA told me to start taking echinacea before every flight. Since then, only one cold (about a month ago).

 

[marciemi]

I always use it when I fly (which isn't often) and never get sick. Guess I think of it this way - it can't hurt and could help!

 

[CarolA]

Good Morning America did a story on this a few years ago. They found that Airborne could not support ANY of it's claims with "science"

 

[beccasmom]

If you decide to try it, look around at prices - high this time of year, generally. But Wal-Mart has good pricing - anything under $5.00 is a good price. CVS is now selling it for close to $8.00 here in the Philly area.